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VACFSS: A Story of Success Through Wise Practices

VACFSS: A Story of Success Through Wise Practices. Presented by: Paul Hucul. Background. VACFSS incorporated in 1992 Largest urban Child Welfare Agency in Canada Serves Aboriginal children and families in the City of Vancouver (COV) 11,140 Aboriginals reside in the COV*

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VACFSS: A Story of Success Through Wise Practices

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  1. VACFSS: A Story of Success Through Wise Practices Presented by: Paul Hucul

  2. Background • VACFSS incorporated in 1992 • Largest urban Child Welfare Agency in Canada • Serves Aboriginal children and families in the City of Vancouver (COV) • 11,140 Aboriginals reside in the COV* • 1981 registered bands in BC* *2006 census

  3. Snapshot of VACFSS • 154 employees • Delegated at Child Protection Level • 33 million dollar budget • 476 Children in Care • 200 Foster Parent Homes • Unionized Environment (BCGEU)

  4. Path to a Successful Delegated Urban Based Aboriginal Agency

  5. Specific Challenges • Change management – cataclysmic change • Family Support Model to a legislated Model of Child Welfare • Enormous staffing growth • Funding negotiations • Incorporating Aboriginal Best Practice • Diverse urban cultural environment • Development of cultural competency

  6. The Seven Key Success Factors Steps to Success: Aboriginal Best Practices

  7. Step 1: Identity and Culture

  8. Identity and Culture • Cultural competency as the pathway • Recognition of Aboriginal diversity • Aboriginal World View Model • Traditional teachers, elders and knowledge keepers • Systematically integrated culture • Ground culture in events

  9. Step 2: Leadership (Siiyamints)

  10. Leadership (Siiyamints) • Development of strongAboriginal leadership • Cloaked in the bestowed name “Siiyamints” • Guided by the Chieftain Stick spirit • Development of specific characteristics of successful leadership

  11. Value Driven Leadership • Humility • Integrity • Strength – Based Practice • Belonging • Respect

  12. Characteristics of VACFSS Leadership • Value driven • Emphasis on culture • Flexibility • Resilience • Utilization of elder/knowledge keeper model • Love of VACFSS

  13. Step 3: Strategic Vision and Planning (2005 – present)

  14. Strategic Vision and Planning The VACFSS vision: “A balanced and harmonious Aboriginal Community”

  15. Six Strategic Priorities • Decrease the number of Aboriginal children in continuing care • Develop a full range of child, youth and family services • Develop and implement a culturally and spiritually appropriate system of care

  16. Six Strategic Priorities cont’d • Ensure strong governance of the organization • Develop and implement effective communication strategies • Develop and implement strategic and risk management strategies

  17. Step 4: Governance and Management

  18. Governance • Establishment of strong board with quality and talented directors having long tenure • Utilized the Carver Model of Governance and presently the Complimentary Model • Have own governance policy • All Board have been provided training by expert advisors

  19. Management • Appointed Managers who have life experience, high qualifications, and who bring wisdom, knowledge and integrity • Development of efficacy • Development of capacity • “Investment in Excellence” – Pacific Institute

  20. Step 5: Accountability and Stewardship

  21. Accountability and Stewardship • Internal audits • Financial audits • External Operational and Practice audits • BOD/Management planning sessions • Strong Policy and Procedures gave a framework to accountability

  22. Step 6: Performance Evaluations

  23. Annual Performance Evaluations • CEO evaluated by board • Managers evaluated by CEO/DOP • Supervisors evaluated by managers • Employees evaluated by supervisors

  24. Step 7: Collaboration, Partnership and Good Relationships

  25. Collaboration, Partnership and Good Relationships • MCFD – strong working committees • Vancouver Aboriginal community • Aboriginal agencies within Vancouver • Aboriginal communities throughout BC

  26. Specific Key Practices:VACFSS Management • Established strong business plan • Developed strong financial infrastructure • Developed strong recruitmentand hiring practices • Re-engineered organizational structure to facilitate culture • Deliver extensive organizational training • Developed a model for a welcoming work environment

  27. Key Characteristics of the Collective Spirit • Value driven • Belief in Aboriginal self determination • Indomitable spirit • Love of Aboriginal children and families • Love of VACFSS • Love of Culture

  28. Future Challenges • Sustain sufficient funding • Recruitment and hiring of Aboriginal employees • Succession planning for Aboriginal leadership • Assuming Adoption delegation

  29. Future Challenges (cont’d) • Youth services • Reducing the number of children in continuing care • Increasing demand for services

  30. “Fortune Favours the prepared mind” • For more information pleasevisit our website: • www.vacfss.com

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